I always wanted to work into technology which can make social impact
Published on : Wednesday 08-03-2023
Sakhee Chandrayan, President INBAC Association and Social Entrepreneur.
What does International Women's Day mean to you?
There are many work scenarios when the gender need not be relevant, where brain power plays as a strength/weakness. My goal is to get recognised beyond gender in such fields. I know, it’s far more complicated than it seems, considering the social and emotional structure in the world. I think the entire society needs to be empowered to make equality a habit. Like, sharing household responsibilities!
Every year, this day brings me closer to this goal!
What are your career aspirations? Did you have an aspiration to follow this field already at an early age? What was the source of inspiration?
I always wanted to work in technology which can make a social impact! Now with my current role, leading a techno-social movement in India in the Building Automation domain, I’m empowered by our Building Automation Community to touch more lives than before!
Compromise – what does it mean to you in your professional life and in your family life?
Honestly, I’m naturally a guilt free person, as I focus on making right choices by taking enough time to decide. I don’t think I worked around compromises, it is too restrictive for me, I work more by creating priorities at the given time and situation.
Are there professions which are easier for women to pursue? What makes the other professions more difficult?
Inherently, a woman has been a caregiver for millions and millions of years, that comes naturally to her. Generations are changing as the work has started becoming softer than hard, more mental than physical! Physical work could be a challenge for many women. Apart from that the only barrier, if any, I see is lack of social support! Like expecting different things from a man and woman even if they work the same hours!
How did you experience work from home – as a boon or as a burden?
Certainly, a boon! I love my family and I’m fortunate that my family loves me equally. My parents, husband and daughter have strong bond and support for each other. There have been situations where I had to create awareness on equality as our social templates are male dominant. But, that’s it! Everyone strives to change the templates and create new habits at my home.
Have you ever missed a career opportunity or promotion due to multiple demands on you as a female? If yes, were you able to voice your thoughts to those who mattered?
A difficult question, in one of the organisations I was working with, all the successes of women were attributed to women empowerment driven by the organisation, instead of her own talent and efforts. In that turmoil, though I missed a few, I made better career choices! Life has been kind.
In what way is today's workplace better than at the turn of the millennium with respect to gender issues?
The best thing is social media, which is unhesitant in challenging the gender biased social templates. In 80%+ situations, creating awareness helps. 20% are really complicated. We all without thinking of gender could support equality by focusing on real issues we will certainly do better than yesterday. After all, it’s a process and can’t be changed in a day.
Why do we need more women in leadership?
Well, when women are empowered in the social circle, in schools and universities, at workplaces and most importantly by her family including spouse and children, there will be more women in leadership roles. It is certainly important as “SHE” is 50% of the world and the world needs “HER” perspectives.
What progress have you seen on gender equality in your life and work?
Things have gotten better for my mother’s generation than her mother’s and same goes for me and my daughter. More opportunities to study, work and stand for yourself.
Share a women's empowerment moment that inspired you.
Padma Shri Sindhutai Sapkal inspires me thoroughly! What an exemplary personality like a phoenix rising from ashes, creating enormous social impact and changing lives!
How would you describe yourself in just three words?
Connect. Collaborate. Create!
Mrs Sakhee Darshan Chandrayan, B.E – Instrumentation and M.S., Counselling and Psychotherapy, is a Social Entrepreneur, helping businesses to tap into the power of collaborative development. Current Role: President and Founder Director, INBAC Association.
Sakhee has 20+ years of industrial experience leading global teams for product strategies, businesses and customer experience focused on enterprise-scale software for sustainable building solutions and open standards and protocols. She is engaged in bringing together visionary industry leaders to design the future of Open Systems Building Automation Community to create an ecosystem for sustainable growth and interdependence, empowering Smart Infrastructure in India.
Sakhee is engaged in creating better experiences of the world at individual level through self awareness and mindfulness practices.
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